Marlins, Saltalamacchia agree on 3-year, $21 million deal

The Marlins have solved their catching needs. And Jarrod Saltalamacchia will be be making a dramatic, first-to-last transition, going from the World Series champions to the worst team in the National League.

Saltalamacchia, 28, agreed Tuesday to a 3-year, $21 million deal with the Marlins. He will be paid $6 million the first year, $7 million the second, and $8 million the third. He does not receive no-trade protection.

The Marlins were the only team left standing in the Saltalamacchia sweepstakes after both the Boston Red Sox (his former team) and Minnesota Twins bowed out of the bidding over the previous 24 hours.

Saltalamacchia hit .273 with 14 home runs for Boston last season. However, he also strikes out frequently and has had a success rate of only 23 percent on stolen base attempts over his career. Still, he would represent a marked improvement offensively over the Marlins' catching incumbant, Jeff Mathis.

Collectively, Marlins catchers ranked last in the majors last year with an OPS of .526. The Red Sox, with Saltalamacchia handling the bulk of the catching chores, ranked third (.787).